Now in its 5th year, Kidoinfo has partnered with the Jen Smith of Greater Kennedy Plaza (a project of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy) to create FREE weekly summer events, both fun and enriching, that attracts hundreds of families to downtown Providence.

Launched in 2012, “Art in the Park” was designed in collaboration with Jen Smith (of DPPC) and artist Alison Paul to compliment our summer storytime series. This creative program encourages children to make and participate in their own storytelling magic through art.

The 2012 theme, Providence and the Purple Crayon created by Rhode Island author and illustrator, Alison Paul was inspired by the classic children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon. Children were invited to let their imaginations run wild, as they “drew” their world — by the end of the summer creating a life-sized interactive set featuring a host of Providence icons, from our city skyline to Rhode Island Red. In 2013, visiting artists Angela DiVeglia led families in creating a whimsical world inspired by Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places WE’LL Go…!

This year we will explore the wild world of Maurice Sendak with artist Ricky Katowicz.

Ricky spends his days designing toys for Hasbro, and his nights in his basement studio, using a sewing machine as a drawing tool. He also creates noises and visuals in Wind & Ghosts, and performs with international puppet troupe Big Nazo. Check out Ricky’s world via his Flickr page and his totally unreal Etsy store!

Join us on Thursday July 10 for the first week of Art in the Park: Maurice Sendak’s Wild World! Ricky has planned a wild summer of art making. Check it out!

2014 Art in the Park: Maurice Sendak’s Wild World! Weekly Activities Kidoinfo Storytime @ 10:30am followed by Art in the Park at 11:30. Free. Open to all ages!

Thursday, July 10:Featured Activity: Playing In the Night Kitchen
Using recycled bottles, cartons, boxes, and cans, we will create individual dioramas (our very own ‘night kitchens’). Once complete we will use Play-Doh to recreate the airplane that Mickey formed In the Night Kitchen and fly it over the Milky Way. All tools and materials provided.

Thursday, July 17Featured AIP Activity: Outside Over Here
Ida rescued her sister from the goblins with courage and her Wonder Horn. In this workshop, we make our own handmade kazoo horns using simple materials that can be found in any hardware store. All tools and materials will be provided. (Funnels and tubes make beautiful sounds!)

Thursday, July 24Featured AIP Activity: Where the Wild Things Become
In this workshop, we construct our very own Wild Things masks from cardboard, fabric, fur, and paint. All tools and materials will be provided. There will be some taping, gluing, and stapling involved. Also, paint can be messy — so please dress accordingly.
When the craft is complete, a wild rumpus party will take place in the park!

Thursday, July 31Art in the Park: Maurice Sendak’s Wild World! (following Storytime) with guest artist Ricky Katowicz
Featured AIP Activity: Bumble-Ardy Birthday Party
It’s a birthday party for EVERYONE!!! Bumble-Ardy missed 8 birthdays in a row, so let’s make up for them! We’ll make our own birthday supplies and bring out a big pretend cake. Then we’ll sing happy birthday to ourselves! You’re all invited.

Thursday, August 7Featured AIP Activity: Really Rosie, it’s Dress-up Time!
Put on your favorite get-up and come on over to the park! And then peek through “Rosie’s Costume Closet” to make that outfit even BETTER! We’ll have hats and scarfs, fake beards and mustaches, wigs and wands, and all manner of sparkly things. Like Rosie, we’ll dress up and create a character for ourselves. There’ll even be a photo booth to capture it all in the act.

Thursday, August 14Art in the Park: Maurice Sendak’s Wild World! (following Storytime) with guest artist Ricky Katowicz
Featured AIP Activity: Pierre & The Lion
Do you remember Pierre? And how he didn’t care? Well, let’s just say it leads to a rather unfortunate incident with a lion… In this workshop we’ll be making simple lion puppets …with a twist… eat or be eaten! When we’re all done we’ll definitely remember that we certainly do care.

Thursday, August 21Featured AIP Activity: Chicken Soup with a Calendar that’s Nice
In August it will be so hot, but we will use our cooking pot… no silly, we won’t be actually cooking anything! We will be using our hands to make a next year calendar out of bowls and spoons. All materials provided — just bring your nimble fingers and an appetite for Chicken Soup with Rice!

Kidoinfo Storytime happens every Thursday morning during the summer! Families bring a blanket and enjoy different storytellers under the trees near the fountain in Burnside Park adjacent to Kennedy plaza. Storytime features at least one story from a local Rhode Island author, illustrator or storyteller followed by Art in the Park.

Anisa Raoof is the publisher of Kidoinfo.com. She combines being a mom with her experience as an artist, designer, psych researcher and former co-director of the Providence Craft Show to create the go-to spot for families in Rhode Island and beyond. She loves using social media to connect parents with family-related businesses and services and promoting ways for parents to engage offline with their kids.
Anisa believes in the power of working together and loves to find ways to collaborate with others. An online enthusiast, still likes to unplug often by reading books and magazines, drawing, learning to knit, making pop-up books with her two sons and listening to records with her husband.